Political genes that put new faces to the name

Cosima Marriner, Kate Waterhouse

POLITICIANS are not renowned for their pin-up good looks. But they seem to have a knack for producing photogenic offspring who are regularly in demand from the public relations-hungry fashion industry.

Tony Abbott's 19-year-old daughter, Bridget, who recently made her debut as an ambassador for the Sydney Racing Carnival, is the latest in a long line of political progeny to strut the catwalk. She joins Peter Garrett's youngest daughter, Grace, who began modelling after family friend Sarah Murdoch introduced her to the industry doyenne Priscilla Leighton Clark.

One of Australia's most successful international models is Kristy Hinze, who is the granddaughter of Russ Hinze, a minister under Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Prime minister Billy McMahon's son Julian dabbled in modelling before opting out, as did Paul Keating's son Patrick. Long before Pru Goward entered NSW politics, her daughter Kate Fischer was one of Sydney's high-profile models of the 1990s.

Peter Garrett and his daughter Grace. Photo: Getty Images

Victorian premiers seem to breed models. Angus Kennett (son of Jeff), Nick Bracks (son of Steve) and now Martha and Eleanor Baillieu (daughters of Ted) have all dolled up for the cameras. Even Bob Katter can claim a model in the family - his nephew Eamonn Katter has worked internationally after an agent spotted him in Macy's New York.

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Most models with political ancestry readily admit their surname helped them break into the industry and garner extra attention for the magazines, fashion labels or events with which they are associated.

''It certainly created a hype as my grandfather was in the press quite regularly because of who he was,'' Hinze, whose lucrative career began at the age of 14 when she graced a Vogue cover, told The Sun-Herald.

Angus Kennett ''was very much about making it as Angus, rather than Angus Kennett with a capital K'' according to his agent.

Being the son of a former Victorian premier helped Nick Bracks score fashion ambassador roles in Melbourne. ''With jobs with clothing companies needing a publicity push, I bring a positive PR angle to things but that only works for certain campaigns,'' he said. ''But it definitely opens doors to other opportunities.''

Bracks, who got his break when American Crew recruited him to be the face of their clothing label, has also appeared on Dancing with the Stars and launched his own line of underwear. ''In any sort of work it takes a lot of persistence and commitment to get through it,'' he said.

But industry veterans are cynical about the trend, and warn a name alone would not guarantee longevity in the fashion world. The editor of Harper's BAZAAR, Edwina McCann, said that, with the exception of Kristy Hinze, politicians' children were categorised as celebrity models used to attract media coverage. ''For most they can hold their career for as long as their parents are in politics and still in the news,'' she said.

Being the son of a former Victorian premier helped Nick Bracks score fashion ambassador roles in Melbourne.

Melinda Collette, whose agency London Mgt represents Martha and Eleanor Baillieu, estimates only a quarter of the politician-related models would get work in the industry without their famous surnames.

''They do bring that sort of press interest,'' Ms Collette said. ''The fashion industry needs all the help it can get these days in terms of the economic downturn and online, so many wonderful retailing shops closing down because of changes in the way we shop these days … But you're definitely not going to book a girl to do a job if she can't walk or if she can't work in front of a camera.''

Ms Leighton Clark, who also represented Kate Fischer (''one of the great beauties''), said Grace Garrett would have a modelling career regardless of who her father was.

''Grace is a very stunning girl, very striking,'' Ms Leighton Clark said. ''She's such a grounded girl she's never cashed in on her name. There are definitely people who cash in on their last name.''

Ms Garrett, who is also studying interior design, said that after two years in the business, ''everyone has forgotten my last name … I'm standing on my own two feet''.

Not all models enjoy being associated with their political parents. Ms Collette said when she represented Angus Kennett ''he was very much about making it as Angus, rather than Angus Kennett with a capital K''. He moved to Europe where his political connections meant nothing and was particularly successful in Italy, but now has his own landscaping business.

The Baillieu girls, however, are ''very happy'' to be associated with their father. ''They have a very realistic view about what they're going to do and why they're doing it,'' Ms Collette, who liaises with the girls' ''very supportive'' mother, said.

None of the politicians wanted to comment on their children's foray into the modelling world.